It may be necessary to conduct a paternity test in Minnesota in the event that paternity is drawn into question. If there is no understanding between the mother and the alleged father, then either of them can bring about a paternity lawsuit to identify the biological father and to establish fathers’ rights as well as child support. Though paternity is often established in order for child support to be established, a lot of paternity suits are filed to give rise to the moral and legal rights of the father.
In Minnesota, no man other than the child’s biological father may enjoy legal fatherhood. However, determining legal paternity in such cases may become problematic, leading to heated arguments between the people involved.
There are different categories of fatherhood. An acknowledged father, for example, means that a man acknowledges that he fathered a child who was born out of wedlock. Presumed fatherhood is another category a man may fall into.
Under this category, there are certain circumstances under which a man may be presumed to be a child’s father. The first set of circumstances is if the man was married to the child’s mother at the time that the child was born or even conceived. Secondly, if the man attempted to marry the mother when the child was conceived or born he may be deemed the presumed father. Third, there may be a presumption if the man married the mother after the child’s birth and agreed that his name should be on the birth certificate. All of these categories can be difficult to understand and may give rise to legal challenges. Therefore, having legal counsel to advise and guide an individual may be extremely useful in such a situation.
Source: FindLaw, “Paternity Suit FAQs,” Accessed on Aug. 15, 2015
